What Is Ombré Hair?
Ombré hair is a coloring technique that creates a gradual transition from darker roots to lighter ends. The word “ombré” comes from the French word meaning “shaded” or “shadow”. Ombré hair can be achieved with natural hair colors like brown fading into blonde, or with bolder shades like black transitioning into bright red or purple.
The ombré look has been a hugely popular hair trend for many years because it provides a low-maintenance way to add dimension and interest to the hair. The darker roots allow for more time between touch-ups compared to traditional all-over color or highlights.
Ombré works on all hair colors, textures and lengths, although it tends to be most noticeable on hair that falls below the shoulders. The transition of shades can be subtle and blended or high-contrast and dramatic, depending on personal preference.
How Do You Prepare Your Hair for Ombré?
Healthy hair is a must before getting ombré color. The process involves lightening the ends of the hair, which can be damaging if strands are already dry, brittle or color-treated.
A few weeks before your ombré appointment, start using deep conditioning treatments or hair masks to restore moisture and strengthen hair. Look for products with nourishing ingredients like:
- Avocado oil
- Hyaluronic acid
- Manuka honey
- Coconut oil
- Argan oil
- Keratin protein
Avoid heat styling, excessive washing, and tight hairstyles that can stress fragile strands in the lead-up to your color service. Getting a trim to remove any split ends will also help ensure a clean canvas for your colorist to work with.
If your hair is previously colored or very damaged, your stylist may recommend waiting or doing multiple sessions to minimize breakage when lightening the ends for ombré. Being open and honest about your hair history will help you get the best results.
What Is the Coloring Process for Ombré Hair?
The ombré coloring process will vary depending on your base color, desired shade, and hair texture, but here is a general overview of how it works in the salon:
- The stylist will assess your base color and ends to determine where to start the transition and how much lightening is needed.
- Your hair will be sectioned off, usually in 4-6 parts, and secured with clips.
- The ends of each section will be backcombed to create a fuzzy buffer that helps diffuse the line between the dark and light colors.
- Lightener is applied to the ends of each section, gradually blending upwards. A brush is used to paint and saturate strands for an even lift.
- Each lightened section is wrapped in foil or plastic to keep the product moist and speed up processing.
- The lightener is left on for anywhere from 10-45 minutes, depending on your starting color and desired level of contrast. Your stylist will check on the progress periodically.
- Once the ideal shade is reached, the lightener is rinsed out with cool water and your hair is shampooed and conditioned.
- Toner may be applied to refine the final color, neutralize brassy tones, and add shine.
- Your hair is dried and styled, allowing you to see the full ombré effect.
The process can take anywhere from 1-3 hours in the salon, depending on your hair’s length, thickness, and starting color. Bringing inspiration photos to your appointment will help your colorist understand your ombré vision.
How Do You Care for Ombré Hair After Coloring?
Proper aftercare is essential to maintaining the health and vibrancy of your new ombré hair color. Here are some tips to follow:
Avoid washing too frequently
Aim to shampoo just 1-2 times per week to avoid stripping color and drying out lightened ends. When you do cleanse, focus the product on your scalp and let it rinse through the ends.
Use color-safe products
Switch to a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner system that is designed for color-treated hair. Look for products with UV filters to prevent fading in the sun.
Condition, condition, condition
Replenish lost moisture with daily conditioner, leave-in treatments, and weekly deep conditioning masks. Pay extra attention to the lightened ombré areas which are more porous and prone to damage.
Limit heat styling
Give your hair a break from hot tools as much as possible, and always use a heat protectant product when you do style. Air dry instead of blow drying when you can, and experiment with heatless styles like braids and buns.
Get regular trims
Schedule a trim every 6-8 weeks to keep your ends looking fresh and healthy. This will help prevent the ombré color from looking dull or ragged as it grows out.
Protect hair while swimming
Chlorine and salt water can discolor and dehydrate ombré hair. Before taking a dip, mist hair with a leave-in conditioner and put it up in a bun or braid. Rinse hair with fresh water immediately after swimming.
Touch up as needed
Most ombré color can last 2-4 months before needing refreshed, but this will depend on how fast your hair grows and how dramatic the contrast is. Schedule a toner or partial highlight service in between full ombré appointments to keep the color looking its best.
How Often Should You Maintain Ombré Hair?
One of the biggest perks of ombré hair is that it is relatively low maintenance compared to other coloring techniques. Because the color is concentrated on the ends and there is a soft transition to your natural roots, you can go longer between touch-ups.
On average, ombré color needs to be refreshed every 2-4 months. Some factors that may require more frequent salon visits include:
- Faster hair growth
- High-contrast color (e.g. very dark roots with light ends)
- Brassy or faded mid-lengths
- Dry, brittle ends that need trimmed
In between full ombré services, you can maintain the tone and vibrancy of the color with glosses, toners, or at-home color depositing products. These quick and affordable treatments are a great way to keep your ombré looking fresh.
Ultimately, how often you get your ombré touched up will depend on your desired look, lifestyle, and budget. Consult with your colorist to create a personalized maintenance schedule.
What Are The Common Issues With Ombré Hair and How to Fix Them?
While ombré hair is stunning, there are some common issues that can arise due to the lightening process and environmental factors. Here’s how to troubleshoot:
Brassiness
Lightened ends can turn orange or yellow over time due to mineral buildup, sun exposure, and heat styling. To neutralize brassy tones:
- Use a purple shampoo or mask 1-2 times per week
- Apply a blue or purple toner at the salon
- Try a color-depositing conditioner in a cool shade
Dryness and damage
The chemicals used to lift color can leave ombré ends feeling dry, brittle and prone to breakage. To restore moisture:
- Use deep conditioning treatments with protein and oils
- Sleep on a silk pillowcase to reduce friction
- Take a break from heat styling and tight ponytails
- Get regular trims to remove split ends
Fading
Ombré color can lose vibrancy over time due to washing, sun exposure, and hard water. To prevent fading:
- Wash hair less frequently and with cool water
- Use color-safe, sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners
- Protect hair with UV filters and hats when outdoors
- Touch up color with glosses or toners every 4-6 weeks
Harsh lines
A telltale sign of a DIY ombré gone wrong is a stark line of demarcation between the dark and light colors. To avoid this:
- Have ombré done professionally for the best blend
- Ask your colorist for a sombré or color melt technique
- Backcomb hair before applying lightener for a diffused transition
If you are dealing with any of these common ombré hair issues, talk to your stylist. They can assess your hair’s condition and recommend a treatment plan to get your color back on track.
How Do You Choose the Right Shade for Ombré Hair?
The beauty of ombré is that it can be customized to flatter any base color and skin tone. Here are some tips for choosing your perfect ombré shades:
Consider your starting color
Your natural or dyed base color will determine how light you can realistically go with your ombré. Generally, the darker your starting shade, the more subtle the transition will be to avoid over-processing.
- Black hair can ombré into deep red, chocolate brown, or caramel
- Brown hair can ombré into honey blonde, golden copper, or light ash brown
- Blonde hair can ombré into platinum, champagne, or icy white
Think about maintenance
High-contrast ombré looks with very light ends may require more frequent touch-ups to maintain. If you prefer a low-maintenance color, opt for a more subtle transition or shades within 2-3 levels of your base.
Flatter your skin tone
The undertones of your ombré color should complement your skin’s undertones for the most natural and flattering effect.
- Cool skin tones look best in ombré shades with blue, violet or ash undertones
- Warm skin tones are flattered by ombré colors with golden, copper or caramel undertones
- Neutral skin tones can pull off ombré in any undertone
Play with fashion shades
Ombré doesn’t have to be limited to natural hair colors. Vivid shades like pink, purple, blue and green can be used to create a bold and artistic ombré effect. Keep in mind that these colors may fade faster and require more upkeep.
Bring photos
The best way to communicate your ombré hair goals to a stylist is with visual aids. Save inspiration photos of your favorite ombré looks to discuss what you like about the shades and placement.
Ultimately, the right ombré hair color for you is the one that makes you feel confident and beautiful. Don’t be afraid to experiment and have fun with your look.
What Is the Difference Between Ombré and Other Techniques?
Ombré is often confused with other hair coloring techniques like balayage, highlights, and color melting. Here’s a breakdown of the key differences:
Ombré vs. Balayage
- Ombré is a gradual transition from dark to light, with the color concentrated on the ends
- Balayage is a freehand painting technique that creates soft, natural-looking highlights throughout the hair
- Ombré has a more horizontal placement, while balayage has a more vertical and scattered effect
Ombré vs. Highlights
- Ombré lightens the ends of the hair for a graduated, two-toned look
- Highlights are small, targeted sections of hair that are lightened from root to tip
- Ombré is a single process, while highlights are done with foils or caps and can be more high-maintenance
Ombré vs. Color Melting
- Ombré has a starker contrast between the dark and light tones, with the transition usually happening around mid-shaft
- Color melting has a softer, more diffused blend between shades for a seamless and natural effect
- Ombré uses two colors, while color melting often incorporates three or more shades
Ombré vs. Dip Dye
- Ombré has a gradual fade from one color to another
- Dip dye has a sharp line of demarcation between two contrasting colors, usually with the ends being a vivid shade
- Ombré is more subtle and natural-looking, while dip dye is bold and edgy
While these techniques all involve lightening and blending colors, they each create a distinct effect. A skilled colorist can combine two or more of these methods for a truly customized and multidimensional look.
How Long Does Ombré Hair Last Before Needing a Touch-up?
Because ombré is a low-maintenance look that doesn’t involve the roots, you can go longer between salon appointments compared to traditional all-over color or highlights. On average, expect your ombré to last 2-4 months before needing refreshed.
Some signs it’s time for a touch-up include:
- Significant root growth of over 2 inches
- Ends that have become dry, brassy, or faded
- Harsh lines of demarcation as the color grows out
- Overall color that has lost vibrancy and dimension
To stretch the time between ombré services, follow the hair care tips outlined below and get regular trims to keep ends healthy.
What Daily Hair Care Tips Should You Follow for Ombré Hair?
Proper at-home care is key to maintaining the health and color of your ombré hair. Here are some tips to follow:
Wash hair less frequently
Aim to shampoo just 2-3 times per week to avoid stripping color and drying out lightened ends. Use dry shampoo in between washes to absorb oil and refresh hair.
Use sulfate-free, color-safe products
Switch to a gentle shampoo and conditioner system designed for color-treated hair. Look for formulas with UV filters to prevent fading.
Deep condition regularly
Incorporate a deep conditioning mask into your weekly routine to replenish lost moisture and keep ombré ends soft and healthy. Pay extra attention to the lightened sections.
Limit heat styling
Give your hair a break from hot tools when possible, and always use a heat protectant product when you do style. Try heatless looks like braids and buns more often.
Get regular trims
Schedule a trim every 6-8 weeks to remove split ends and keep your overall ombré looking fresh. Damaged ends will make the color appear dull.
Protect hair from the elements
Wear a hat or use a UV-protectant spray when out in the sun for prolonged periods. Chlorine and salt water can also discolor and dehydrate ombré hair, so put it up and rinse well after swimming.
How Can You Maintain the Vibrancy of Your Ombré Color?
In addition to washing less and using color-safe products, there are some other ways to keep your ombré color looking fresh and vibrant between appointments.
Use a purple shampoo
Counteract brassy tones in lightened ends with a purple toning shampoo once a week. The violet pigments neutralize yellow and orange hues to keep your ombré cool and bright.
Try a color-depositing conditioner
Maintain your ombré shade with a color-depositing conditioner in a corresponding hue. These deposit temporary pigments to refresh faded color.
Get glosses or toners
Schedule a gloss or toner service at the salon every 4-6 weeks to revive shine and tone. These quick treatments can help extend your ombré without a full color service.
Touch up with a root concealer
If roots start to show between ombré appointments, camouflage them with a root touch-up spray or powder. This will help blur the line of demarcation until you can get to the salon.
What Products Are Recommended for Ombré Hair Care?
Look for products specifically designed for color-treated hair to get the most benefits for your ombré. Here are some ombré essentials to add to your routine:
- Sulfate-free, color-safe shampoo and conditioner to gently cleanse without stripping color
- Purple shampoo to neutralize brassy tones in lightened ends
- Deep conditioning mask to restore moisture and softness
- Leave-in conditioner with UV filters to detangle, hydrate, and protect color
- Heat protectant spray or cream to minimize damage from hot tools
- Color-depositing conditioner to refresh faded ombré shades
- Root touch-up product to conceal grown-out roots between appointments
Consult with your colorist for personalized product recommendations based on your hair type, color, and concerns. Using professional products will help you get the longest-lasting results from your ombré.
How Can You Minimize Damage When Coloring Ombré Hair?
While any lightening process will cause some damage to the hair, there are ways to minimize the impact and keep your strands as healthy as possible when getting ombré:
See a professional colorist
A trained colorist will be able to assess your hair and customize the ombré process to suit your needs. They have access to high-quality lighteners and toners to help protect hair during the service.
Don’t overprocess
Avoid overlapping lightener onto previously colored sections of hair, as this can lead to severe damage and breakage. A skilled colorist will know how to carefully place the ombré to avoid overprocessing.
Use a bond-building treatment
Ask your colorist about adding a bond-building treatment, like Olaplex, to your ombré service. These help reinforce the internal structure of the hair and prevent damage during the lightening process.
Start with subtle contrast
If it’s your first time getting ombré, opt for a more subtle contrast between your base and ends. Dramatic transformations will require more lightening and processing, which can be harsher on the hair.
Take a break between services
Avoid getting ombré touch-ups too frequently, as repeated lightening can weaken the hair over time. Aim to wait at least 8 weeks between full ombré services to give your strands a break.
Baby your hair at home
In between ombré appointments, treat your hair with extra TLC. Deep condition regularly, limit heat styling, and protect your hair from the sun and other environmental stressors.
With these tips and trusting your ombré to a professional, you can get the trendy, low-maintenance color you want while still keeping your hair healthy and strong.
